"Wife, actually I lied to you."
Lu Jin'an stared into Zhu Nanzhi's eyes, a plan already forming in his mind.
The possessiveness of a sickly person stems from the fear of the uncontrollable. Zhu Nanzhi wanted to refine him into a Sword Spirit, using the excuse of the Blood Pool at the clinic, but the biggest reason was her 'fear' of not being able to permanently control him.
Because after matters were settled, she would return to Qingmiao Palace, because Qingmiao Palace does not accept male disciples, and due to their initial agreement to part ways peacefully.
In addition, after discovering that her husband beside her was in the Tongsheng Realm, she felt that Lu Jin'an would surely not follow her, so she intended to refine him into a Lifebound Sword Spirit to fulfill her wish of staying together forever.
It was impossible to stop Zhu Nanzhi from being a sickly person, as this was most likely innate—after all, a normal person could not become sickly.
Therefore, Lu Jin'an only wanted to temporarily alleviate her 'fear' and then complete his plan to turn passivity into activity.
"Lied to me?" Zhu Nanzhi tilted her head and softly asked Lu Jin'an, "Husband, what do you mean?"
Lu Jin'an 'hesitated' for a moment and said, "I am not originally from the Nanzhuo Domain."
Zhu Nanzhi cradled his chin with her hands and said with a smile, "Neither am I."
"I know that." Lu Jin'an chuckled, "You said you had a reason for coming here... is it done?"
"Almost." Zhu Nanzhi stroked his chin with her finger, "I can't bear to leave my husband at all."
"Neither can I."
This was sixty percent true.
After a year together, just looking at Zhu Nanzhi was a pleasing sight, let alone being able to 'eat' Zhu Nanzhi.
Lowering his head, Lu Jin'an said softly, "I came here for something too, something very important to me."
Zhu Nanzhi looked thoughtfully at Lu Jin'an. Since her husband had Saint Realm Cultivation, it shouldn't be for revenge in such a poor and remote place… but how should one explain something as ghastly as the Blood Pool?
"Can husband tell me what it is?" Zhu Nanzhi gently opened her mouth, "Perhaps I could help husband."
"This is my business." Lu Jin'an said solemnly, "Don't get involved... what if you get hurt?"
Zhu Nanzhi smiled brightly, "Husband, don't underestimate me~"
Lu Jin'an glanced at her, "I still don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll listen to you, husband~" Zhu Nanzhi responded obediently, then asked, "After husband finishes, will we elope together?"
Lu Jin'an replied without revealing his emotions, "It might take a while to handle this matter."
"How long?"
"Seven days."
"Seven days, I am willing to wait for husband~"
"Hmm..." Lu Jin'an nodded, then hesitated as if suddenly remembering something, "Actually, in the clinic..."
As he spoke, he fell silent again.
Zhu Nanzhi's eyes were full of amusement, gently comforting him, "If husband doesn't want to say now, then don't say it. No matter what husband does, I'll be willing to trust him."
Lu Jin'an sighed with relief and chuckled, "Thanks..."
Zhu Nanzhi covered his mouth with her hand, "There's no need for thanks between us. As long as husband doesn't deceive me~
Once husband's business is done, I want to have a long conversation with him overnight."
"I also want to learn more about my wife." Lu Jin'an reached out to pinch her cheek.
Zhu Nanzhi smiled shyly, pressing her lips together.
Lu Jin'an didn't know whether she was pretending or genuinely feeling it, only feeling that at this moment, they were both like ancient fox spirits, playing with deep feelings.
It was clear Zhu Nanzhi felt something long before but still hadn't opened her heart, hadn't she?
Luckily, his mind was clear... only a fool wouldn't discern true feelings from false intentions.
However, Lu Jin'an also realized that if Zhu Nanzhi discovered the flaw in his delaying tactics, she would refine him into a Sword Spirit in no time.
If another method couldn't handle her, he had better run away while his cultivation wasn't sealed... though unsure if he could escape, what if?
After bathing, Lu Jin'an took the blue and white cloud-patterned narrow-sleeved robe Zhu Nanzhi prepared for him and put it on. Zhu Nanzhi helped tie his belt, and as she bent down, the tender white skin of the Hezi skirt neckline rose and fell with her breath.
"I can handle the shoes myself."
"It's no trouble."
Zhu Nanzhi gathered her skirt and squatted down, squeezing around her thighs, almost ready to burst.
Lu Jin'an subtly glanced down, appreciating the allure of the partly hidden beauty, until Zhu Nanzhi was about to finish helping him with his shoes, then nonchalantly looked away.
Once Zhu Nanzhi had finished fitting the shoes, she looked up at him with satisfaction, both wearing matching attire, appearing as a deeply affectionate Daoist couple.
"Husband, come~"
Zhu Nanzhi led him to the bedroom, pressing his shoulders to sit him before the dressing table, "You're coming of age, so I especially prepared this Water Cloud Crown. Husband, you mustn't dislike it."
Lu Jin'an was familiar with this Water Cloud Crown, even clearly remembered her saying before time reversal, "Couldn't wait for husband's birthday."
Now thinking about it, this Water Cloud Crown felt like a 'death warrant.'
Lu Jin'an politely asked with a smile, "Why not wait for my birthday?"
"There's still more than a month until husband's birthday, I can't wait."
As Zhu Nanzhi helped him gather his hair, she thought, since husband's business only required seven days, it definitely couldn't wait until a month later.
Thinking of this, Zhu Nanzhi appeared absent-minded as she fastened his hair with a Jade hairpin... once husband became her Lifebound Sword Spirit, such things would be unnecessary.
What a pity.
But being able to keep him by her side forever was already a perfect ending.
Zhu Nanzhi's lips curled into a smile once more, envisioning that once husband became the Sword Spirit, they'd gradually be in sync in thought, and traverse the Immortal Path, becoming invincible.
"Can't even wait a little over a month?" Lu Jin'an smiled helplessly.
"Hmm~" Zhu Nanzhi bent down to peck his cheek, "Husband, you worked hard last night, let's have breakfast first~"
"Alright."
"By the way, shall I bring you lunch today?" Zhu Nanzhi asked enthusiastically.
"How about dinner instead?"
"I'll do as husband wishes~"
After breakfast, Zhu Nanzhi saw Lu Jin'an off at the door, smiling softly as she waved and watched him leave.
"Miss, did you persuade him?" Han Wu asked softly.
"No need anymore." Recalling husband's honesty today, Zhu Nanzhi was pleased, "Husband has me in his heart."
She thought to herself, before husband became the Sword Spirit, if they were in sync, her compatibility with Zhan Ming would reach perfection. More importantly, husband definitely wouldn't resent her so much.
'How can you say you like someone if you refuse to become their Lifebound Sword Spirit?'
Zhu Nanzhi giggled foolishly.
???
Han Wu stared blankly at the Holy Daughter, listening to her laughter, feeling a chill creep over her skin.
Once Lu Jin'an vanished from sight, Zhu Nanzhi turned to head back, her smile subdued, "Return to Qingmiao Palace in seven days."
"Seven days?" Han Wu, closing the door, quickly asked, "Won't it take longer?"
Turning to look at Han Wu, Zhu Nanzhi smiled slightly with a clear voice.
"Whenever husband says, is when it's happening, understand?"
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Author: During the new book period, please continue reading~ Stay consistent, and there'll be more updates upon launch.